CRIME rates in one area of Chard doubled while offences in Crewkerne were slashed in half, according to the latest figures from the police national crime database.

Monthly figures published on www.police.uk show the number of crimes in each of the six wards which Chard is made up of, along with wards covering Ilminster and Crewkerne, and a brief summary of each crime category.

The latest figures are from January this year, and people can also find out how many crimes took place on their street each month, dating back to December, 2010.

The Chard Crimchard ward saw the most marked increase with 26 crimes ranging from anti-social behaviour to public order and vehicle crime, compared to just 12 crimes in January last year, eight in the same month in 2012 and 14 in 2011.

But Insp Tim Coombe, who covers South Somerset, said the figures did not match their own records.

He said: “According to our figures there were only 11 crimes recorded.

“Some are reported as crimes which turn out not to be, or a number of anti-social behaviour incidents aren’t necessarily crimes.

“There are two areas which have seen an increase in reality, and the first is a spate of thefts from insecure vehicles overnight over a four-five day period.

“The second is a number of different offences linked to an individual and incidents in Coker Way, Chard.

“This has been managed robustly with partners, but is still in the process of being resolved fully.”

Chard’s most well-behaved ward was Blackdown Chard, which only experienced five crimes, while the ward named Chard Coombe saw the highest number of crimes with 43 incidents.

Ilminster noticed a slight rise in incidents as 40 crimes kept officers busy throughout January, compared to 31 during the same period last year.

In Crewkerne, officers dealt with 36 crimes – half as many offences as were committed in January in the past two years.

The News will continue to run monthly figures on crime rates in your area and February’s figures will be published when they are made available.

Insp Coombe said Crewkerne’s drop in crime is down to a number of individuals who have since been imprisoned or have moved away from the area.